U.S. soccer finds support from Texas lawmakers after World Cup exit

President Obama watched the U.S. play Germany while en route to Minnesota (MANDEL NGAN/AFP/GETTY IMAGES)

Texas politicians voiced their support for the United States men’s national soccer team after their captivating run in the World Cup ended on Tuesday.

The national team carried the hopes and dreams of a nation, including politicians from both ends of the spectrum, who set aside their differences every few days for 90 minutes to cheer on the red, white, and blue.

The United States went out fighting as they took Belgium to extra time before bowing out of the tournament in the round of 16, in a 2-1 defeat.

The U.S. were heavy underdogs throughout the tournament and were a surprise qualifier out of their group which featured heavy favorites Germany, Portugal, and Ghana. The group was fittingly known as “the group of death,” by many sports pundits.

After clawing a victory against Ghana in their first match of the tournament, the U.S. took notice as 24.7 million viewers tuned in to ESPN and Univision to watch their next match against Portugal, which was more than the average audience of the NBA finals and 2013 World Series.

Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, wore his jersey to work during the World Cup to cheer on the U.S. (Rep. Joaquin Castro/Twitter)

Every game day, Texas lawmakers would offer their show of support for the Yanks in the tournament.

Texas Democrat Joaquin Castro would wear his American jersey to his office to watch the games.

Rep. Ruben Hinojosa, D-Mercedes, displayed his passion for the national team by hanging pictures and banners of the team on his office door.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, even took an American flag to the streets of Washington, D.C. and waved it with a beaming smile on his face to show his affection for the team.

Soccer may not be seen as the national sport of the United States, but for one month, soccer captivated the nation.

The sport has the capability of bringing peace to war torn nations, like the Ivory Coast in 2006, and the game has the ability to set aside differences in order for a nation to gather as one to root for their team.

Although the U.S. valiantly departed from the tournament, for one month ideologies were set aside as lawmakers rooted for a soccer nation that displayed they can hold their own against the juggernauts in the sport.